It is becoming increasingly important to be able to access your data and files from anywhere.  One solution is to sync all of you files to all of your devices (desktop, laptops, smartphone, tablet, and even an iPad.  Unfortunately all of these devices have a limited amount of internal storage.

ZumoDrive can help solve this problem.

Zumodrive creates a drive on your device that is synced to the cloud. But service has a different twist-the service tricks the file system into thinking those cloud-stored files are local, and streams them from the cloud when you open or access them.  Via TechCrunch

Click HERE if you can not see the embedded video above.

You probably don’t want to sync all of your real estate files between your desktop and laptop or iPhone.  You just want to be able to easily access those files when you need them.

ZumoDrive allows you to store your files in the cloud or easily sync entire folders to the cloud so you always have access to them.  The big advantage of ZumoDrive is that the service practically gives all of your devices unlimited storage.

ZumoDrive Features:

Mobile Access

By storing your files in the cloud and not on your device, ZumoDrive essentially  gives your smartphone several gigs of extra storage.  ZumoDrive is available for iPhone, Android, and Palm Pre.

Folder Linking

Easily sync a folder to ZumoDrive by right clicking on that folder and selecting “Link Folder to ZumoDrive”.  That folder will then be synced to the cloud and the contents available on other devices.

Sharing

Share files with specific people by emailing them directly from ZumoDrive or create a link to send to someone.

Music and Photos

Access all of your photos and music from ZumoDrive.  ZumoDrive integrates with iTunes so you can listen to your iTunes from everywhere.

How much does it cost?

The free account gives you about 2 gigs of storage.  10 gigs of storage costs $2.99/month.  25 gigs of storage costs 6.99/month.  Click here for the complete price list.

I use ZumoDrive to access documents that I might need while I am out of the office.  I currently store an FHA Checklist on ZumoDrive that I can reference while doing an FHA real estate appraisal.  I also use it to store a copy of my appraisal license and E&O insurance.  I can easily email someone a copy of my license if I am out of the office.

How would use a service like ZumoDrive?

Image by Ria Dis

Earth day celebrated its 40th anniversary last week.  In its honor, REbliss has put together a list of 8 things real estate appraisers can do to go green.

1) Go Paperless

a) Convert web pages to PDFs and store them digitally instead of printing.  You can use PDFmyURL to convert web pages to PDFs in one click.  There are also several Google Chrome extensions (Web2PDF and html2pdf) that will convert web pages into PDF documents.  There are also free programs available for creating PDF documents like CutePDF Writer.

b) Export your MLS data as PDF or excel documents instead of printing.  Many MLS services have the option to export your search results in several different formats.

c) Do you still use a fax machine?  Faxes can be both sent and received online.  You can forward your fax number to a service like eFax.  eFax will deliver your faxes to your email as a PDF document so you can store them digitally and not have to print them.

d) Does your appraisal company have documents each employee needs access to like a company manual?  Consider storing them on on a network for everyone to view online.

e) Buy an external hard drive to store your appraisal files digitally instead of keeping a hard copy.  You can use a product like Pogoplug to access your data remotely when out of the office.  You can also store your appraisal files in the cloud.  Here is a list of 10 free websites you can use to backup your appraisal files.

2) Use Recycled Paper and Remanufactured Ink and Toner Cartridges

There will always be something you have to print.  If you must print, use remanufactured toners and recycled paper. Business cards can also be made out of recycled materials.

3) Turn off your office equipment and lights at night

You can save energy and money by switching off your computers, printers, and lights at night.  During the day, be sure to turn off lights when you leave a room.  You can even set your monitor to power off rather than use a screensaver.

4) Recycle old computer equipment instead of throwing it away

Best Buy will recycle your electronic equipment no matter where you bought it.

And we’ll take just about anything electronic, including TVs, DVD players, computer monitors, audio and video cables, cell phones, and more. Most things are recycled absolutely free, with a few restrictions.

Staples also has a recycle program.

5) Use glass or ceramic coffee mugs instead of paper or plastic

Do you make coffee or tea in the office?  Use glass or ceramic mugs to help reduce waste.

6) Replace halogen lamps with compact fluorescent bulbs

Fluorescent light bulbs use approximately 75% less energy than traditional bulbs and last about 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

7) Recycle

Set up a recycle station in your office to collect trash, paper, and plastic.

8) Raise the A/C

You can save on energy costs by raising your air conditioner by just one degree.

Now go tell everyone about it!

Going green not only helps the environment and saves money, but can be used as leverage with current and potential clients.  Would going green help you gain your clients trust?

Do you have any tips to help real estate appraisers go green?

Pogoplug might be a good solution for real estate appraisers that need to access their computer files when they are out of  the office.  Pogoplug allows you access to your external hard drive from anywhere, essentially creating your own cloud storage.

The term “Cloud” refers to a place on the internet where you can store your files so they can be accessed from any internet connection.  The key with cloud storage is that instead of storing data on your own device, users rely on a third party storage servers.  You probably use some form of cloud computing everyday, Gmail, Flickr, YouTube, Facebook, etc.

The Pogoplug connects your USB drive to the Internet so you can easily share and access your files from anywhere.

The Pogoplug is the perfect accessory to your connected life. Imagine accessing all your files and media at home from any laptop or desktop computer, anywhere in the world, or sharing this content with friends and family without having to upload. There’s even an iPhone application so you can always “phone home” to get your files!

How does it work?

Pogoplug connects to both your external hard drive and your router.  Once connected, you enter your unique Pogoplug registration code into my.pogoplug.com and you are ready to use and access your data!

According to the website, it is a 60 second setup!

Your files are stored on your own hard drive and pass through the cloud via Pogoplug’s secure protocol.  With Pogoplug, your files are not stored out on the internet somewhere, but can be accessed from any internet connection.

So how much is the Pogoplug?

The Pogoplug is $129.00.  This might sound a little pricey, but with Pogoplug, you can create your own personal cloud storage.  You usually have to pay for a service such as Dropbox or ZumoDrive in order to access your files over the internet.  With Pogoplug, you store your own files on your own hard drive, connect the Pogoplug, and your done.  No service, no installation, and no monthly fee!

What about Security?

Pogoplug offers fully encrypted access to your files through the HTTPS protocol. This protocol is the same encryption security that your online banking system uses to protect your account access.

According to their website, there will be add-ons soon.

Pogoplug is getting even better all the time. Our system is expandable over the Web. Soon, your Pogoplug can connect directly to popular sites such as backup, file synchronization, photo printing and more.

It will be exciting to see what develops will make to work with the Pogoplug.

Pogoplug seems like a fantastic solution for Mobile Appraisers or anyone who needs to work remotely.  How often do you need to access your computer files when you are out of the office?

Real estate appraisers have to keep their work files for 5 years.  The picture above is of the boxes of appraisal files I have to keep.  I have not added anything to this stack for about 2 years and can not wait for the day when 100% of my appraisal files are electronic.

My appraisal office is going paperless and I only print when I have to.  A paperless office is not only better for the environment but also saves money on paper and printer ink.  But going paperless means I have significantly more files (appraisal files, PDF files, market research files, and excel files) to keep on my computer.  I keep one copy of my appraisal files on my computer but but I also keep a backup copy of my files either on an external hard drive or in the could.

I am slowly moving toward keeping my most recent files in the cloud so I can access them when I am out of the office.  The appraisal industry is changing rapidly and soon, if not already, appraisers will be need to be mobile.  Being able to access, modify, and email appraisal files from the field will soon be a requirement for real estate appraisers.

Here are 10 websites to store your files online.  Each of the websites listed below gives you at least 1 GB of storage for free.  This allows you to try the service out to see how well it works and if it would be a good solution for you.

1) Window Live SkyDrive

Windows Live SkyDrive gives you 25 GB of free storage!  You need a Windows Live ID or will have to sign up for one.  You can make you folders public or just share folders with people in your network.  You can access your files from anywhere.

2) Dropbox

I have been using Dropbox to backup some of my files for several years.  It is easy to use and will backup your files automatically so you don’t have to worry about it.  Dropbox will automatically sync your files when changes are detected.  The basic account is free and gives you 2 GB of storage.  You can access your Dropbox files from any web browser or you iPhone.  You can also easily share your files.

3) Google Docs

Google Docs recently announced that you can upload and store any type of file in your Google Docs account.  Google gives you the option to convert your documents and spreadsheets to the Google Docs format.  You get 1 GB of storage for free and can upgrade your account.  20 GB will cost you $5 per year.  If you buy 200 GB you get a free Eye-Fi card.

4) ZumoDrive

ZumoDrive allows you to backup 2 GB of files for free.  ZumoDrive has several really nice features including the ability to backup your iTunes songs and stream the music from anywhere.  I recently signed up for an account with ZumoDrive and the feature I love the most is that ZumoDrive mimics a standard dive on your computer and syncs the data to the cloud.  ZumoDrive tricks your file system into thinking those cloud-stored files are local, and streams them from the cloud when you open or access them.

ZumoDrive can also sync folders on your hard drive to the cloud so you can access your files from any web browser or on your iPhone with their free iPhone app.

5) Syncplicity

Syncplicity gives you 2 GB of storage for free and can sync your files or folders across 2 computer with the free account.  You can access your files from any web browner.  Syncplicity allows you to share your files or folders as well.  I have been using Syncplicity for more than 1 year now and love it.  I use Syncplicity to backup some of my appraisal files and have been able to retrieve files from their website that I have accidentally deleted on my desktop.

6) Box.net

Box.net gives you 1 GB of storage for free.  You can easily share your files and access your files with your mobile device.  Box.net does have a free iPhone app.  Box.net allows you to collaborate with others on stored files.  One nice feature of Box.net is that it integrates third-party services such as Zoho, Google Gmail, eFax, EchoSign, and Twitter.

7) wuala

wuala.com gives you 1GB of storage for free and allows you to store, backup, and share you files.  wuala backs up your files automatically and you can access your files from anywhere.

8) MediaMax

MediaMax IDrive gives you 2 GB of storage for free.  IDrive can backup your documents automatically, backup databases from SQL Servers, and backup you contacts on you iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android phone.

9) MediaFire

MediaFire gives you unlimited free storage and allows you to upload 500 files at a time.  Unlike some of the other websites mentioned today, MediaFire is geared more toward hosting and sharing your files online so you don’t have to worry about bandwidth.  MediaFire allows you to easily manage your files and gives you statistics on your shared files.

10) Mozy

MozyHome gives you 2GB of free backup space.  You can schedule your backups or make them automatic.  I have never used Mozy to backup my files and could not tell from their website if you can access you files from a web browner or if the service is just for backup.

I currently use Dropbox, Google Docs, ZumoDrive, and Syncplicity to backup personal and work related files and folders.

If you are a real estate appraiser, how do you backup your appraisal files?

JotNot is an iPhone app that converts a photo into a document.  You simply take a picture of a document, receipt, etc, tell JotNot where the corners are, and it will process the image.  The document does not have to be straight and the picture can be taken from an angle.

JotNot is more than just a camera app. It uses proprietary image processing (similar to the imaging technology used in flatbed scanners) to automatically remove shadows, correct contrast and adjust white balance, so that your scanned documents come out looking as crisp and clear as possible every time.

JotNot seems to work best on black and white documents and finds the document’s edges easier when the white paper is on a darker colored surface.  Don’t worry about the document being straight or flat.  JotNot will correct the image when it is processed.

How easy is JotNot to use?

Step 1) Take a picture of a document

Step 2) Highlight the document

Step 3) Process the image.

Here is a short demo of the iPhone app.

Click Here if you can not see the video above.

How does JotNot compare to just taking a photo with the iPhone camera?

Below is a picture of a receipt I took with the iPhone camera, and the photo to the right is the picture processed by JotNot.

JotNot works well with small documents but I bet you are wondering how well it works with 8×10 documents.  It depends on the size of the text.  Below is a picture of a page out of an old appraisal book that I processed with JotNot.  The smaller text at the top of the document is hard to read while the larger text at the bottom is very easy to read.

One of the nice feature of JotNot is what you can do with the document after it is processed.  JotNot can email your document, save it to your JotNot library, send your document to Evernote, Upload to Box.net, upload to WedDav, or upload to Google Docs.  Evernote integration actually includes tags and notebooks, so you can specify exactly where you’d like to put your note.

JotNot does not upload the image to a server and instead all processing of the image is done right in the app. This allows users to be comfortable with the fact that the picture of say a receipt is not stored somewhere on the internet.

JotNot is $4.99 in the iPhone App Store

Posted by Bryan McDonald (Follow him on Twitter)